Team 2 arrived in record time today - around 4:30 PM. They all look remarkably well for having been up for almost 24 hours.
Apparently they really enjoyed the airport. Ricardo ate a crepe with lots of whip cream in Atlanta. And walking through the Haiti airport was quite an experience.
The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning.
May 7, 2019
Today was our first full day with the whole team, and it was a successful one! Everyone was stretched in some way, shape, or form and had to be flexible right off the bat. We traveled to Chardene today and were greeted with very excited students.
Charlie, Trey and Ricardo jumped right in and started the Good Choices program with the students. They talked about a variety of topics: how to be a good friend, the importance of resolving problems, taking care of your body, etc. Best of all: they got to play basketball! The kids (and translators) LOVED playing and enjoyed shooting the basketball. They had a hard time waiting their turn, but who can blame them?! The afternoon was spent with the Secondary students and they also really had a good time interacting and engaging with Charlie, Trey and Ricardo.
The medical team (Belinda, Deb, Heather, Sabine and Marissa) did some follow-up with students that needed one final re-check before they head home for summer break. It went well and there weren't any huge surprises, which is always a good thing!
Rene had a few too many things on her plate today, which was totally her own fault, so Pastor Will was gracious enough to step in and take over doing the interviews with sponsored students while she went and worked on other projects. He very much enjoyed getting to speak one-on-one with the students and learn more about them personally as well as hear about their future plans.
Overall it was a very busy (and VERY hot) day, and we were all excited to share about our experiences when we met tonight at devotions. We are excited to see what tomorrow brings!
May 8, 2019
This morning our team headed out to Dupin. The view on the way is always worth stopping for a picture.
If you could see each team member working today you would see two or three playing basketball with little kids, lifting each one so they can make a basket. Another, holding a baby while he waits to see the doctor. One working with community agents, and a couple others trying to start an IV on a child with a high fever. Others were singing praise songs with the kids. Our Haitian friends are always patient with us waiting for their turn to be seen. It really is about them.
We were excited to see former patients Bestson, "Dupey" and Kenbelove doing well. Seeing them again and others we have grown to love and look forward to seeing is what keeps us all coming back.
We returned to the Mission Center mid afternoon. Charlie spoke to the MP school board about leadership. Belinda, Deb and Anite were busy with community agent "stuff". Pastor Will spoke to the Bible School students about the Bible's view on leadership. Trey, Ricardo, and Marissa enjoyed a swim in the ocean. Sabine continued entering student info in the computer. Heather spent time with her "Haiti son", Mardochee.
We ended the evening with chocolate in honor of PaPa Jeff.
May 9, 2019
Why?
I'm so hot and sticky
I'm tired of long pants on hot days
I'm tired of warm water to drink
I hate cold showers
I don't like the rats running across the tin roof all night long
I hate getting up at 6:00 AM
I want a real flush toilet
Why I come is:
Kitchen Karaoke with Maude
Listening to Deb's stories
The ocean
So fun to see kids enjoying basketball
My teammates are now life long friends
Seeing little children's faith in God shining through
I get to help the children feel better
Seeing the smiles on the kid's faces
I love these children and am loved in return
But most of all.....
I am sharing the love of Jesus with children
We traveled to LaHatte today. It rained last night so the road was too muddy for us to reach the school. We unloaded and began to walk the couple miles up the dirt road. It meant we carried a small honda generator, a five gallon jug of water and all our medical supplies. The pictures show WHY it was all worth it.
May 10, 2019
Charlie, Trey and Ricardo started the day with a "Good Choices" seminar. Ricardo began with teaching how to be a good friend. Trey talked about choosing good foods and nutrition, clean water and exercise. Ricardo challenged Trey to demonstrate his fitness skills by doing 60 push ups. Trey had no problem as the children counted them off and cheered him on. Charlie finished with talking about the qualities in a good leader.
The nurses did follow up checks on kids that were sick last November and also saw some that were not feeling well today. Belinda and Rene took a wild ride around St. Marc looking for a pharmacy to replace some needed meds. Pastor Will finished sponsorship interviews.
This evening Deb and Belinda had a concluding seminar with the community agents. They all looked so nice in their graduation shirts. Charlie attended the seminar and spoke to them about the importance of follow through. He demonstrated his point by teaching them how to follow through with a basketball shot. They each enjoyed their turn at taking a couple free throws.
Tonight Charlie, Trey and Ricardo are assisting Pastor Herve with a youth leadership seminar at MPCA. Our youngest team members (Trey and Ricardo) have enjoyed a nap before dinner every day.
We enjoyed a wonderful dinner prepared by our cook and friend, Maude. It was the best goat meat any of us have ever had.
I Thessalonians 5:11 NLT
So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.
May 11, 2019
The kids were excited to volunteer to answer questions and participate in the games Charlie, Trey and Ricardo had prepared. The highlight though was basketball and football on the playground.
This evening has been busy with taking final inventory of the pharmacy, kitchen and team supplies. The team members are falling asleep mid sentence (but it's a good, content, satisfied kind of tired). Maude made a wonderful meal of homemade french fries, fried chicken, beans and rice, pikliz and fresh fruit.
We have started saying goodbyes to our friends here in Haiti. It's always good to come home but leaving here is sometimes hard.
Phillipians 1:3-6
"I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you. I always pray with joy beause of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion unti the day of Christ Jesus."
